Maison Autrique
Encyclopedia
The Autrique House was the first town house built by Victor Horta
in the Art Nouveau
style. This house built in 1893 represents an essential step in the evolution of the greatest Belgian architect. In many ways it was an innovative dwelling although it doesn't feature the novel spatial composition of the almost contemporary Hôtel Tassel
. The house is located 266, Chaussée de Haecht / Haachtsesteenweg, in the municipality of Schaerbeek in Brussels
.
It was built for the engineer Eugène Autrique and his family. Due to budget restrictions the family wanted a simple but comfortable home. For this reason many custom made details, which Horta designed himself in most of the other town houses he built, were abolished.
The Autrique House was kept in a relatively good condition during the 20th century. In the 1990s it was bought by the municipality of Schaerbeek. It was thoroughly renovated and is now opened to the public.
style. All typical Art Nouveau characteristics are already present in this early work of Horta: fine iron pillars and columns of the façade, sgraffito, stained-glass, mosaics, and importance of natural light and decorative elements of floral inspiration. These characteteristics were to be developed and magnified by Victor Horta
and his disciples.
' decorative scheme that didn't include references to other historical styles
. However the floor plan and spatial composition of the Maison Autrique remained rather traditional. On the deep and narrow building plot the rooms were organised according to a traditional scheme used in most Belgian town houses at that time. It consisted of a suite of rooms on the left side of the building plot flanked by a rather narrow entrance hall with stairs and a corridor that led to a small garden at the back. From the three room suite only the first and the last had windows so that the middle room (mostly used as a dining room) was rather gloomy.
Victor Horta
Victor, Baron Horta was a Belgian architect and designer. John Julius Norwich described him as "undoubtedly the key European Art Nouveau architect." Indeed, Horta is one of the most important names in Art Nouveau architecture; the construction of his Hôtel Tassel in Brussels in 1892-3 means that...
in the Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau is an international philosophy and style of art, architecture and applied art—especially the decorative arts—that were most popular during 1890–1910. The name "Art Nouveau" is French for "new art"...
style. This house built in 1893 represents an essential step in the evolution of the greatest Belgian architect. In many ways it was an innovative dwelling although it doesn't feature the novel spatial composition of the almost contemporary Hôtel Tassel
Hôtel Tassel
The Hotel Tassel is a town house built by Victor Horta in Brussels for the Belgian scientist and professor Emile Tassel in 1893-1894. It is generally considered as the first true Art Nouveau building, because of its highly innovative plan and its ground breaking use of materials and decoration...
. The house is located 266, Chaussée de Haecht / Haachtsesteenweg, in the municipality of Schaerbeek in Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
.
It was built for the engineer Eugène Autrique and his family. Due to budget restrictions the family wanted a simple but comfortable home. For this reason many custom made details, which Horta designed himself in most of the other town houses he built, were abolished.
The Autrique House was kept in a relatively good condition during the 20th century. In the 1990s it was bought by the municipality of Schaerbeek. It was thoroughly renovated and is now opened to the public.
History
Built by Horta in 1893 for his friend Eugène Autrique, the Maison Autrique constitutes the missing link between traditional private architecture and the emerging Art NouveauArt Nouveau
Art Nouveau is an international philosophy and style of art, architecture and applied art—especially the decorative arts—that were most popular during 1890–1910. The name "Art Nouveau" is French for "new art"...
style. All typical Art Nouveau characteristics are already present in this early work of Horta: fine iron pillars and columns of the façade, sgraffito, stained-glass, mosaics, and importance of natural light and decorative elements of floral inspiration. These characteteristics were to be developed and magnified by Victor Horta
Victor Horta
Victor, Baron Horta was a Belgian architect and designer. John Julius Norwich described him as "undoubtedly the key European Art Nouveau architect." Indeed, Horta is one of the most important names in Art Nouveau architecture; the construction of his Hôtel Tassel in Brussels in 1892-3 means that...
and his disciples.
Building
The Maison Autrique was the first town house built by Victor Horta. This dwelling was already innovative for its application of a novel 'Art NouveauArt Nouveau
Art Nouveau is an international philosophy and style of art, architecture and applied art—especially the decorative arts—that were most popular during 1890–1910. The name "Art Nouveau" is French for "new art"...
' decorative scheme that didn't include references to other historical styles
Architectural style
Architectural styles classify architecture in terms of the use of form, techniques, materials, time period, region and other stylistic influences. It overlaps with, and emerges from the study of the evolution and history of architecture...
. However the floor plan and spatial composition of the Maison Autrique remained rather traditional. On the deep and narrow building plot the rooms were organised according to a traditional scheme used in most Belgian town houses at that time. It consisted of a suite of rooms on the left side of the building plot flanked by a rather narrow entrance hall with stairs and a corridor that led to a small garden at the back. From the three room suite only the first and the last had windows so that the middle room (mostly used as a dining room) was rather gloomy.
Awards
The Autrique house received in 2005 the Medal of Europa NostraEuropa Nostra
Europa Nostra, the pan-European Federation for Cultural Heritage, is the representative platform of 250 heritage NGOs active in 45 countries across Europe...
for "the scrupulous restoration of an early masterpiece of Victor Horta, and for the creation of a scenography which pays tribute to the private architecture of Brussels and opens a door to an imaginary world."